Dewhurst urges guns, abortion for special-session agenda

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, expressing frustration that Democrats have blocked bills including anti-abortion and gun measures, said he has asked Gov. Rick Perry to include them among a laundry list of topics for a potential special session.

Besides giving a fresh push to pro-gun and anti-abortion efforts, Dewhurst said he has told Perry that he would like a special session to address redistricting, school choice, a spending cap on the state budget and “phasing out” the troubled Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

“I talked to the governor .. about the need for a special session on a number of these issues,” Dewhurst said.

On guns, besides a campus-carry bill, Dewhurst cited the prospect of a “statement by the Legislature” on whether guns manufactured in Texas “that are designed not to go into interstate commerce but are restricted to intra-state commerce, staying inside the state of Texas” should escape federal regulation.

“It’s a strong argument,” Dewhurst said.

During a regular session, the Senate requires a two-thirds vote to bring up legislation, giving power to Democrats to block measures.

“In special session, particularly where we have anything controversial such as redistricting, we have done what previous lieutenant governors have done. We’ve operated with a simple majority,” Dewhurst said, and he said he would plan to do the same this time.

Dewhurst said he and Perry agreed to talk closer to Monday’s end up the regular session.

“It’s really up to him,” Dewhurst said, although he added that “I’m inclined to think he will” call a special session.

“I don’t know what time he will call it. He was telling people over here in the Senate when he came by Tuesday that he was thinking about calling sometime in June. I have no idea. I would be inclined to think it would be a lot sooner than that,” Dewhurst said.

Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin, who heads the Senate Democratic Caucus, said by email, “If there is going to be a special session, it ought to be about more than what someone didn’t accomplish during the regular one.

“Middle-class Texans are dealing with a lot of challenges, and I’m pretty sure a political candidate seeking a special session to score points with primary voters isn’t one of them,” Watson said. “Every issue I’ve heard suggested for a special session has already been the subject of some failed bill or hearing over the last couple of months. We shouldn’t waste taxpayers’ money in a special session just because someone didn’t get everything they wanted.”

Dewhurst, who in lost in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate to now-Sen. Ted Cruz, has said he plans to run for re-election.

Gov. Rick Perry has hinted he may call lawmakers into special session if they don’t send him $1.8 billion in tax relief and a water plan.